Grandmother Commits Suicide After Losing Money In Scam

posted by RJ Johnson - @rickerthewriter -

Feb 23, 2018

An 82-year-old woman that lost all her money to a con artist committed suicide because she was so upset about falling for the scam according to her granddaughter. Angels Stancik told ABC News that the con artists preyed on her grandmother and her good heart.

"What should have been some of the best years in the last chapter of her life was taken from her. She was robbed in every sense," Stancik said.

82-year-old Majorie Earl Jones became the victim of a sweepstakes scam. Con artists told Jones she had won money, but needed to pay some fees and taxes before she could collect her prize.

Stancik said her grandmother sent all of her money to the scammers, and later had to borrow money from family and her life insurance coverage before tragically committing taking her own life with only $69 left in her bank account.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice announced on Thursday they had filed charges against more than 250 perpetrators in mailing and telemarketing schemes.

"Today's actions send a clear message: We will hold perpetrators of elder fraud schemes accountable wherever they are," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said while announcing the charges on Thursday.

Losses from scams like these total more than $500 million Justice Department officials said.

Legitimate sweepstakes never ask winners to wire money or force them to pay a fee in order to claim their prizes. Posted rules will also tell you the terms and conditions of the contest according to the FTC.

"It is a despicable crime these people are doing, they laugh about their ability to defraud people," Sessions said.